Foot appliances



June 1l, 1963. L. J. COTTON 3,093,130

FOOT APPLIANCES Filed Sept. ll, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

3 40 Jeej-(27%?? L. J. COTTON FOOT APPLIANCES June 11, 1963 INVENToR. .ffoyz 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zee Filed Sept. l1, 1959 June 11, 1963 J. COTTON 3,093,130

FooT APPLIANCES Filed Sept. ll, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I NV TOR. I fag Zeef@ 077,

3,093,130 FOT APPLIANCES Lee James Cotton, 5323 S. State St., Chicago 9, Ill. Filed Sept. 11, 1959, Ser. No. 839,529 1 Claim. (Cl. 12S-80) This invention relates to appliances to be worn on the feet for treating disorders of the feet, and more particularly to foot appliances for treating disorders of the feet which effect other parts of the body.

It is well known that foot problems and disorders, particularly conditions which restrict circulation and compress or irritate the nerves of the foot, not only cause pain in the feet but `frequently result in discomfort in other parts of the body. Fallen arches, lapped toes, hammer toes, and weak feet are examples of foot disorders that may cause fatigue, headaches, backaches, sciatica, nervousness, irritability, and many other seemingly unrelated conditions. Conversely, some body ailments also result in foot discomfort even though the feet are otherwise in a healthy condition.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the invention to provide an appliance to be worn Ion the foot for treating disorders thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a foot appliance for relieving pain and discomfort of the feet caused by structural disorders thereof, such as lapped toes, hammer toes, and fallen arches.

A further object of the invention is to provide a foot appliance for treating disorders of the feet such as. bunions, corns and calluses resulting from deformities such as lapped toes, hammer toes, and fallen arches. j

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon making reference to the detailed description which follows and accompanying sheets of drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a foot appliance embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3 3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another foot appliance comprising a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a somewhat enlarged sectional view along the line 6 6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another foot appliance comprising a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional View along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

rFIG. 10 is a side View of the appliance illustrated in FIG. 8 showing the position of the latter while in use on a foot and while being worn with a shoe, the position of the appliance during walking being shown in dotted line;

FIG. 1l is a perspective View of another appliance comprising a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational View of the appliance of FIG. 11 showing the position thereof when in use on a wearers foot;

FIG. 13 is a reduced bottom plan view of the appliance of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a top plan View of another appliance comprising a fth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. l5 is a transverse sectional view along the line 15-15 of FIG. 14 showing the position of the appliance fie in an operable position on a foot, the latter being shown in dotted line; and

FIG. 16 is a sectional view along the line 16-16 of FIG. 15.

Briefly desc-ribed, the present invention contemplates an appliance to be worn on the =foot for treating disorders ofthe foot, which may result in `disorders at other points of the body. Each of the tive embodiments of the invention are thus adapted to treat one or more specific foot disorders, such as an inwardly lapped or crooked great toe, referred to as hallux valgus, hammer toes, a tailors bunion, fallen arches, and bunions, corns and calluses resulting from one or more of the foregoing structural conditions. l

Hallux valgus is a structural deformity in which the great toe is crooked or turned inwardly toward the other toes such that the joint protrud. 'I'he joint thus rubs against a shoe or other article of Ifootwear and in time a bunion is formed. Hammer toes is a condition in which the tips of the toes are bent downwardly causing the joints t-o become elevated so that the toes have a bumped appearance. Bum'ons, corns or calluses may thus develop on the .tips of the toes and on the elevated joints Where they Contact the wearers shoe. A tailors bunion is a bunion which occurs at the side of the foot adjacent the little toe joint. It may arise from improperly shaped or fitting shoes which bend the little toe inwardly causing the joint to protrude and a bunion to form due to rubbing of a shoe at this point.

As will also appear more fully hereinafter, each embodiment of the invention includes means for stimulating circulation in the feet and throughout the body, thereby contributing to the therapeutic effect of the appliances and eliminating discomfort at other points of the body caused by the foot disorder.

XIn FIGS. 1-3, a combination bunion reducing and medicament dispensing appliance 20 is illustrated, the latter including means for reducing and protecting a bunion on the sides of a wearers `foot atthe great and little toe joints, and means for treating certain superfcial or infectious disorders of the feet. The appliance 20 also includes means for stimulating circulation in the foot to effect reduction of the bunions. Thus, the appliance 20 comprises generally an elongated body o-r sole '21 that is adapted to be worn on the bottom of a wearers foot, in this instance the left foot, and either with or without another article of footwear. The body or sole 21 preferably utilizes a two-part construction and thus comprises an upper layer or half 22 and lower layer or halt 23, which may be Vformed of leather, plastic, or similar materials, and marginally stitched together as at 24. Padding oriller material, indicated at 26, is interposed between the layers Z2 and 23 at the heel and ball areas of the appliance to cushion the wearers foot during standing or walking.

According to the present invention the bunion reducing means includes a pluralityof longitudinally extending ribs 27 formed in the appliance body 21 at the front end thereof so as to underlie the metatarsal arch area of the wearers foot. 'Ihe ribs 27 are preferably formed by interposing a plurality of lengths of resilient tubing 28 between the layers 22 and 23, the tubing lengths 28 being embedded in or otherwise secured to the iiller material 26. In addition to the longitudinally disposed tubing lengths 28, an additional thickness of transversely extending `filler material, indicated at 29 (FIGS. 3 and 4), is provided beneath the tubing lengths 28- to increase the height or thickness of the ribs 27, thereby providing additional localized support to the wearers foot when the appliance 2t) is in use. When the weight of the wearer is removed from the foot as in walking, the increased thickness of iller material 29 may appear as a rib 30 in the lower layer 23 (FIGS. 3 and 4), and when the weight is on the appliance, the filler material 29 will produce raised portions in the ribs 27.

The ribs 27 are effective to massage the flesh between the bones and ligaments `of the wearers foot under the inuence of the wearers body weight, thereby stimulating circulation in the foot and causing a reduction of the bunions. In addition, the ribs 27 support the metatarsal arch area of the wearers lfoot and thus relieve pressure on the nerves, consequently reducing pain.

In order to supplement the action of the ribs 27, the appliance body 21 includes an upraised pad 31 in its upper layer or half 22, which is disposed rearwardly of the ribs 27 so as to underlie the longitudinal arch of the wearers foot. The pad 31 is formed by interposing a quantity of porous resilient material 32 between the filler material 26 and the upper layer 22 of the appliance body 21. The porous material 32 is sufficiently absorbent to permit a liquid medicament to be applied and retained therein, and thereafter dispensed from the pad 31 under the influence of the movements of the wearers foot and body temperature. To this end, the upper layer or half 22 may be cut out or perforated as at 33 to expose the material 32 and facilitate the application and dispensing of medicament. Thus, the pad 31, in addition to supporting the wearers lfoot in conjunction with the ribs 27, also serves to treat superticial disorders of the feet which respond to treatment by a medicament. Certain types of medicaments which penetrate the skin may also be distributed throughout the wearers body upon application through the feet by the appliance 20 to treat certain other bodily disorders.

According to the present invention, the appliance body 21 is provided with a plurality of apertures or openings 34 therethrough in the area of the ribs 27 and pad 31. The apertures 34 provide communicating air passages to the wearers skin, which are eifective to further stimulate circulation of blood in the foot and throughout the body. Thus, the ribs 27, pad 31, and apertures 34 form the bunion reducing means and medicament dispensing means of the appliance 2th Each of these elements cooperate to provide the aforesaid therapeutic effects.

Means is provided for retaining the appliance body 21 in position on a wearers foot and for protecting the bunions on the great and little toe joints while the appliance 20 is being worn. In this instance, such means comprises a pair of generally triangular shaped pads 36 and 37 which are secured to the body 21 along the longitudinal side edges thereof adjacent its ifront end by the stitching 24. The pads 36 and 37 are connected to each other at their inner ends by an elastic strap 38 to form a loop through which the foot is inserted. Each pad includes a pair of transversely extending thickened portions or ribs 39 disposed adjacent the front and rear lateral edges thereof so as to span the bunion and engage the wearers foot on each side of the bunion. Direct contact between the bunion and the wearers shoe is thus prevented and pressure on the nerves in the area of the bunion is relieved. The pads 36 and 37 in this instance utilize a two-part construction similar to that of the appliance body 21 and are -formed from a similar soft, ilexible material, such as leather. As in the appliance -body 21, the pads 36 and 37 are provided with a plurality of the apertures or openings 34 which function in a similar manner to provide passages for communicating air to the wearers skin to stimulate circulation in the immediate area of the bunions and thus promote reduction thereof.

In FIGS. -7, a combination lapped toe correcting and bunion reducing appliance 40` is illustrated, the latter comprising a second embodiment of the invention. The appliance `4t) is adapted to be Worn on the bottom of a wearers foot, in this instance the right foot, and includes means for reducing a bunion on the great toe joint such as may be caused by a hallux valgus condition.

Thus, the appliance 40 comprises generally an elongated sole or body portion 41 utilizing a two-part construction which includes an upper layer or half 42 and a lower layer or half 43 (FIGS. 6 and 7), the halves being secured together by marginal stitching 44. Resilient ller material 46, such as sponge rubber or the like, is interposed between the upper and lower layers 42 and 43 to cushion the area underlying the ball of the wearers foot.

According to the present invention, the lapped toe correcting means of the appliance 40 includes a transversely arranged elastic strap 47 having its ends secured to the front of the appliance body to form a loop for receiving the wearers lapped great toe, and a longitudinally extending upraised rib 48 in the upper layer 42 for engagement with the ball of the wearers foot between the great and first toe joints.

The strap 4.7 is secured at one end to the front of the appliance body 41 along the left marginal edge thereof, and at its other end to an adjacent edge 49 of a longitudinally extending slit or cutout 51 in the appliance body 41. The strap 47 thus forms a loop at the front of the appliance body. The partially severed portion of the appliance body underlying the wearers lapped great toe thus provides a pad for the toe. The strap or loop 47 is effective, when engaged with the wearers great toe, to exert a straightening or correcting force on the toe tending to urge it into a normal position.

The rib 4S, which coacts with the strap or loop 47 to promote a straightening of the wearers lapped great toe, is formed in a manner similar to the ribs 2'7 of the appliance 20 by inserting a length of resilient tubing S2 (FIG. 6) between the layers 42 and 43 and embedding the tubing S2 in the iiller material 46. As will be `apparent from FIG. 5, the rib 48 is somewhat longer than the ribs 27 of the appliance 20 so as to extend rearwardly across the ball of the wearers foot and into the area of the longitudinal arch. The rib 48 thus serves to massage the flesh between the great and second toe joints during walking and to ystimulate circulation in the foot, thereby supplementing the action `of the strap 47 lto straighten the lapped great toe.

The bunion reducing means of the appliance 40 includes the rib 48 land a protecting pad that is adapted to engage the side `of the wearers foot adjacent the bunion on the protruding great toe joint. The pad in this instance is formed by a laterally extending ilapl or Wing portion 53, yformed integrally with the appliance body 41 and adapted to be folded upwardly to engage the side of the wearers foot. The flap 53 includes a pair of transversely extending longitudinally spaced ribs 54 for engaging the wearers foot on each side of the hallux valgus bunion to prevent the bunion from contacting the wearers Shoe. The ribs 54 are preferably formed from lengths iof resilient tubing 56 (FIG. 6) embedded in laterally extending portions of the resilient filler material 46. The ribs 54 extend laterally along the front and rear marginal edges of the Hap 53 and to some extent into the main portion of the appliance body 41. The flap 53 may also be provided with a centrally disposed opening 57 (FIGS. 5 and 7) to prevent contact of Ithe bunion with the ap 53 when the latter is folded to an upright position.

As in the previous embodiment, a plurality of apertures or topenings 58 are provided in the appliance body 41 in the area of `the ball of the wearers foot and through ribs 54 to provide air passages for communicating air to the wearers skin to stimulate circulation in the foot, particularly in the area of the bunion.

Thus, the ribs 43 and 54, and the apertures 58, coact to massage the flesh between the first and great toe joints and the side of the wearers foot `around the bunion and to stimulate circulation in the foot and cause a reduction of the bunion. Reduction of the bun-ion is hastened by the action of the strap or loop 47 which urges the great toe into alinement.

In addition to the foregoing features, the appliance 40 includes a longitudinal arch supporti-ng pad or cushion 59 which is disposed rearwardly of the ri'b 48 iand formed by interposing resilient material 61, such as sponge rubber or the like, between the upper and lower halves 42 and 43. The pad 59 coacts with the rib 48 to support the longitudinal arch of the foot 'and promote circulation.

In addition t0 the pad 53 the appliance 41 includes a second flap or wing portion 62 which extends laterally from the left side of appliance body 41 as an integral part and in transverse alinement with the pad 53. The ap 62 is disposed on the appliance body rearwardly of the pad 53 and is adapted to be folded to Ian upright position in a manner similar to the flap 53 for engagement with the side of the wearers foot to prevent the appliance from shifting While being worn. To this end, the liap 62 is preferably stilfened by interposing reinforcing material between the upper land lower layers 42 and 43 of the flap' 62.

In FIGS. 8-10, a combination lapped toe and hammer toe 'correcting appliance 7 0 is illustrated, which comprises a third embodiment of the invention. The appliance 70 is similar to the appliance 40 to the extent that it is adapted to be worn on the bottom of a wearers foot and includes means for correcting a lapped great toe, but differs therefrom in that it also includes means for correcting hammer toes. The appliance 70 thus comprises an elongated two-part appliance body 71 having an upper layer or half 72 and a lower layer or half 73, the halves 72 and 73 preferably being formed from leather or like materials and marginally secured together as by stitching 74.

The lapped toe `correcting means comprises in this instance an elongated resilient strap 76 having one end formed into a loop 77 at the front end of the appliance body 71, as viewed in FIG. 8, for receiving the end of the wearers lapped -great toe, a rst upstanding curved rib 78 for engaging the inside :and rear edge port-ions of the wearers great toe pad, and a second longitudinally extend-ing upraised rib 79 which extends rearwardly of the rib 78 and is positioned to engage the ball of the wearers foot between the great and rst toe joints.

According to the present invention, the strap 76 has one end centrally secured to the appliance body 71 adjacent the rib 78, in this instance by threading the free end of the strap through a pair of longitudinally extend-ing l-aterally spaced slits Si) and 81 at the front of the appliance body 71, the slit 80 in this instance being formed in the rib 78 and the slit 81 being the adjacent edge of the appliance body 71 (FIG. 8). After passing downwardly through the slit 81, the str-ap 76 extends rearwardly beneath lthe appliance body 71 toward the heel end thereof. 'I'he remote end of the strap 76 is then passed up- Wardly through the longitudinal slit 82 at the heel portion of the appliance body 71 (FIG. l0), over the surface of the upper layer or half 72, and then downwardly through a second longitudinal slit 83 spaced laterally inwardly or to the right of the slit 82 (FIG. 8). The remaining length of the strap material is disposed at any convenient point around the appliance 7 0. The size of the loop 77 and the degree of correcting action exerted on a lapped great toe can be readily adjusted by varying the tension in the str-ap 76, such tension being controlled by the extent to which the free end 'of the strap 76 is pulled through the slits 82 and 83. The adjusted length of the strap 76 is maintained when the appliance '70 is being worn with a shoe, due to its interlocking relationship with the slits 81-83 and its frictional engagement with the lower layer of the appliance body 71.

As aforementioned, the .rib 79 extends longitudinally toward the rear of the appliance :body 71 and then curves laterally outwardly so as to engage the inside and rear portions of the wearers great toe pad. The rib 78 thus coasts with the loop 77 to exert a straightening effect on the lapped great toe. y

The location, construction, and function of the rib 79 is substantially the same as that of the rib 48 of the appliance 40, and accordingly further description will not be included. It need only be stated that the rib 79 coacts With the lapped Ito-e engaging loop 77 and rib 78 to supplement their straightening action on the lapped toe, and to support and massage the esh between the aforesaid joints :to promote circulation in the 4foot which provides la corresponding therapeutic effect. The massaging action also reduces compression of the Anerves in the area of the lapped toe.

In order to provide additional support to the wearers foot, the appliance 70 also includes a longitudinal arch supporting pad I84- ldisposed rearwardly of the rib 79, the pad 84- being formed in a manner similar to the pad 46 of the `appliance 40.

'Ilhe hammer toe correcting means of the appliance 70 comprises a third rib 86 which extends around the front right marginal edge of the 'appliance body so as to underlie the downturned ends of the hammer toes. The rib 86 thus functions to straighten the hammer toes. In the present instance, the rib `86 decreases in height as it extends toward the rear of the appliance and is thus adapted to correct one or more ham-mer toes adjacent a lapped great toe, if the fourth and fifth toes are straight. -It should be understood that the height, length, and positon of the rib 86 could be varied as required. As the toes' straighten and the joints become less elevated, corns or c-alluses on the joints and :the tips of the toes are eliminated.

As in the previous embodiments, the appliance body 71 is provided vWith a plurality of apertures or openings 87 therethrough, including the ribs 78 and 86, and 'the pad 84, which provide air communicating passages that contribute to the stimulation of circulation in the foot and the reduction of pressure on the nerves.

Referring now to FIGS. ll-l-3, an appliance 90 is illustrated for removing a corn between a pair of toes', in this instance the fourth and lifth toes of a wearers left foot, the appliance comprising a fourth embodiment of the invention. The appliance 90 is adapted to -be worn on the bottom of a wearers foot and includes a two-part generally rectangularly shaped flexible appliance body 91 which includes a main or lower half 92 formed from leather or like materials, and a fabric material linear or upper half 93 secured to the lower half 92. Resilient filler material such as sponge rubber i-s interposed -between the parts 92 and 93 to cushion the wearers foot.

According to the present invention, the appliance 90 includes a longitudinally extending upraised rib 94 formed by a length of resi-lient tubing 95 interposed and secured between the pieces 92 and 93. The rib 94 is `disposed to generally underlie land support the foot in the are-a between the toes where the corn is located and is eective to massage the flesh of the foot at this point to promote circulation of blood around the corn. The corn is thus loosened and removal facilitated, frequently without surgery. In FIG. l3, the rib 94 is shown positioned on the bottom of a wearers foot for removal of a corn between the fourth and fifth toes of the left foot. As in the previous embodiments, a plurality of apertures 96 are provided in the appliance body 91 to form passages communicating with the skin of the wearers foot to stimulate circulation Iand lthus contribute to the massaging action of the rib 94. The appliance is secured to the wearers foot by a resilient strap 97 having its ends connected to a pair of flaps' 98 which extend -laterally from the sides of the body 91.

`Referring now to FIGS. 14-16, another appliance 100 is illustrated for treating fcorns on the top yof the toes of the lwearers foot such as may occur as a result of a hammer toe disorder. rl'lhe appliance 100 thus comprises a generally triangular shaped body portion '101 that is adapted to be positioned on the top of the wearers foot, with its edge 1105 at the front, so 4as to overlie and extend rearwardly of the corns. The appliance .body 101 preferably utilizes a two-part construction which includes an upper half or layer -102 of leather or like material, and a lower half 103, the halves being secured together by marginal stitching 104. The upper surface of the upper half 102 is smooth to minimize any tendancies of the appliance to shift upon contact with a stocking or other article of footwear.

Resilient filler material, indicated at 106 (FIGS. 15 and 16) such as sponge rubber, is interposed between the upper and lower halves 102 4and 103 to form a pad or cushion 107, the latter being disposed toward the upper or front side of the appliance, as viewed in FIG. 14, to overlie the corns. The appliance 100 is retained in position on the wearers foot `by an elastic strap 109 which encircles the toes.

As in .the previous embodiment, `the pad or cushion 107 includes a plurality of yapertures or openings 111 therethrough which provide air passages communicating `with the wearers skin. The apertures 111 thus function in a similar manner to those of the previously described embodiments in that they serve to stimulate circulation in the foot and toes, and in `the llesh :around the coms, thereby causing -a loosening of the corns and relief of pressure on the nerves of the foot.

While various embodiments of the invention have been herein illustrated and described it will be understood that modifications and variations thereof 4may be etected without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claim.

Iclaim:

A foot appliance for treating a bunion on the great or little toe joints of a Wearers foot, comprising an elongated appliance body adapted to engage the bottom of the wearers foot, thickened rib means on said appliance body extending longitudinally of the foot for engaging the ball of the wearers foot, a thickened pad on said appliance body rearwardly of said rib means for engaging the longitudinal arch of the wearers foot, said thickened pad comprising porous resilient material embedded in said appliance body with a portion of said material exposed to contact :the wearers foot, said porous mate rial being adapted to receive a medicament of the type that is adapted to be distributed .throughout the wearers body by absorption, said appliance body having a plurality of apertures therethrough in or adjacent said rib means providing air passages communicating with the wearers foot, and means carried by said appliance body for retaining the latter on the wearers foot including a bunion protecting pad adapted to overlie and protect a bunion on the wearers foot, said pad having a plurality of apertures therein -for communicating air to the area of the bunion and `being secured to one side of said appliance body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,291,236 Stuck Jan. 14, 1919 1,462,534 Condylis July 24, 1923 1,565,259 Collis Dec. l5, 1925 1,614,934 Saums Jan. 18, 19-27 1,703,895 Noble Mar. 5, 1929 1,730,466 Mallott Oct. 8, 1929 1,785,185 -Day Dec. 16, 1930 2,075,552 Stemmons Mar. 30, 1937 2,247,748 Cotton July 1, 1941 2,581,864 Kaufmann Jan. 8, 1952 

